RIVER FALLS, Wis. (uwrfsports.com) - The Falcons battled back from a 19-point deficit in the first half to make it a six-point game in the fourth quarter, but UW-Stout held on for a 12-point victory and their 13th win of the year in a 76-64 victory over UW-River Falls. 

UWRF struggled by shooting only 37 percent in the first half, but they stayed within striking distance in the opening minutes by trailing only 10-7 about midway through the first quarter. The Blue Devils finished the quarter on a 17-4 run and had big contributions from Kyncaide Diedrich and Bailey Diersen, who combined for 24 points in the first half. A three-pointer from Diersen gave them a 30-11 lead over the Falcons, which would end up being the biggest margin in the game. The Blue Devils took a 44-26 lead into halftime. Crystal Pearson led the Falcons with six points and eight rebounds in the opening 20 minutes. 

The third quarter was a difficult time for the Falcons earlier in WIAC play, but tonight they outscored UW-Stout 18-10 in the quarter and cut the lead to within four points after a three-pointer from Anna Rollag made it 48-44 with 1:31 remaining in the third quarter. The Blue Devils responded to the 18-4 run with two three-pointers to close out the quarter. The Falcons only got as close as six points in the fourth quarter before Diedrich knocked down her only three-pointer of the game to extend the lead to nine points. Pearson finished with a team-high 18 points on 7-12 shooting, and Jenna Zeman also finished in double figures with 12 points. Lori Wardynski was 7-8 on free throws to finish with 11 points.

Diedrich finished with a double-double at 18 points and 12 rebounds, and both teams finished shooting at exactly 40 percent. The teams also were equal on bench points, but the Blue Devils had a 22-15 advantage on points off turnovers.

The Falcons are now 7-9 and 1-4 in the WIAC this season. They wil travel to Whitewater on Saturday to take on the Warhawks at 3 p.m.